The Women's Board of the Adler Planetarium held its annual Celestial Ball Sept. 8. On this clear, star-filled night, more than 650 black-tie-clad patrons enjoyed dramatic views of the skyline and Lake Michigan from the planetarium's terrace. As Sway Chicago's orchestra played, partygoers perused a silent auction that included a silver Labrador puppy, a $10,000 gift certificate to Graff Jewelers, exotic trips, plus several space-themed items. A highlight was an Apollo XIII patch signed by Apollo and Gemini astronaut Capt. James Lovell (honorary chair), who was in attendance with wife Marilyn. Guests delighted in having photos taken against backdrops of Venus and the Milky Way.

In keeping with the evening's theme, "The Milky Way," multiple dining areas were transformed by Event Creative into heavenly visions, with optical fibers woven throughout the flower-filled centerpieces creating the illusion of twinkling stars on every table. After dinner, guests were treated to a trip through the galaxy in the Grainger Sky Theater, narrated by Adler board President Paul Knappenberger.

Chaired by Erika Bartelstein with co-chairs Donna More and Laura Myntti, this year's Celestial Ball raised more than $1.3 million, making it their largest fundraiser to date. These funds will support the Adler's programs to improve science literacy and education within communities, especially among young people and minorities. "The Adler & Motorola Solutions both feel it is critical to inspire the next generation of engineers and explorers, so they can help design and discover the technologies of tomorrow," said Greg Brown, CEO of Motorola Solutions (the corporate honoree).

The Women's Board of the Adler Planetarium held its annual Celestial Ball Sept. 8. On this clear, star-filled night, more than 650 black-tie-clad patrons enjoyed dramatic views of the skyline and Lake Michigan from the planetarium's terrace.

If you’re one of the hundreds of thousands of Grateful Dead fans who got shut out of tickets for the band’s 50th anniversary shows July 3-5 in Soldier Field, promoter Peter Shapiro has some good news for you.

Conan O'Brien entertains hundreds of thousands of people each year. On a recent clandestine trip to Cuba, however, the TBS latenight host had to please just one - and for several harrowing minutes, thought he had failed.

Steven Dietz's play "Yankee Tavern" is a cleverly self-protected piece of writing, a deconstruction of 9/11 conspiracy theories that also airs a good number of them, ranging from the spike in the short-selling of stock in United and American Airlines on Sept. 10, 2001, to the guy who claimed to...

The good news for die-hard Deadheads who got shut out of the Grateful Dead's reunion concerts July 3-5 at Soldier Field when tickets went on sale over the weekend: Tickets are showing up in droves on the secondary market.